--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Trying to be happy in this world is…" description: "\"Trying to be happy in this world is greatest illusion.\" — Radhanath Swami" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82e/radhanath-swami-1470_illusion_trying-to-be-happy-in-this-world-is-grea_1075860.jpg" --- # Trying to be happy in this world is greatest illusion. ![“Trying to be happy in this world is greatest illusion.” quote by Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82e/radhanath-swami-1470_illusion_trying-to-be-happy-in-this-world-is-grea_1075860.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82e/radhanath-swami-1470_illusion_trying-to-be-happy-in-this-world-is-grea_1075860.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82e/radhanath-swami-1470_illusion_trying-to-be-happy-in-this-world-is-grea_1075860.jpg) > “Trying to be happy in this world is greatest illusion.” [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Pursuing happiness in this world is an illusion; true contentment lies elsewhere. **In simple terms:** Worldly happiness is illusory. Key Takeaway Seek deeper fulfillment. Themes illusion happiness spirituality Mood thoughtful calm Type spiritual philosophical When to use this quote - meditation - service - simple living - volunteering Key Concepts philosophy mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - What does true happiness look like for you? - How can you balance worldly duties with inner peace? A Different Perspective Worldly pursuits can be meaningful. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Greatest Illusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatest-illusion-672412/) [Happy World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happy-world/) [Illusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illusion/) [This world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/this-world/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Trying Happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying-happy-366455/) [Trying to be happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying-to-be-happy/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [World Greatest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-greatest-1806001/) ## Related quotes > [If only we'd stop trying to be happy we'd have a pretty good time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-only-we-d-stop-trying-to-be-happy-we-d-have-a-pretty-good-time/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you are trying to be happy and trying to be kind, you've already won.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-falcone/if-you-are-trying-to-be-happy-and-trying-to-be-kind-you-ve-already-won/) [Ben Falcone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-falcone/) > [“I love what bestselling author, Matthew Kelly says:  “On the one hand, we all want to be happy. On the other hand, we all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/i-love-what-bestselling-author-matthew-kelly-says-on-the-one-hand-we/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [My songs are always about overcoming things, whether it's breaking up with a guy or just trying to be happy. They're always about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/estelle/my-songs-are-always-about-overcoming-things-whether-it-s-breaking-up/) [Estelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/estelle/) > [“She tried to smile warmly but wondered if she looked "fakey," something Ariel sometimes accused her of. Ariel had said. "It's like you're trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorrie-moore/she-tried-to-smile-warmly-but-wondered-if-she-looked-fakey-something/) [Lorrie Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorrie-moore/) > [If only wed stop trying to be happy we could have a pretty good time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-only-wed-stop-trying-to-be-happy-we-could-have-a-pretty-good-time/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm erasing all of the unwanted drama out of my life because at the end of the day I'm just trying to be happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-tomasello/i-m-erasing-all-of-the-unwanted-drama-out-of-my-life-because-at-the/) [Mario Tomasello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-tomasello/) > [One of the biggest challenges in trying to be happy right now isn't that we don't know how to be happy. It's mostly that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kumar-anupam/one-of-the-biggest-challenges-in-trying-to-be-happy-right-now-isn-t/) [Kumar Anupam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kumar-anupam/) > [Trying to be happy is like climbing a steep hill and when you get near the top, you lose your grip, fall and have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rashida-rowe/trying-to-be-happy-is-like-climbing-a-steep-hill-and-when-you-get/) [Rashida Rowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rashida-rowe/) > [Football is something I enjoy doing, something I'm well-paid to do, and obviously that's a great privilege, but I'm just trying to be happy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wojciech-szczesny/football-is-something-i-enjoy-doing-something-i-m-well-paid-to-do-and/) [Wojciech Szczesny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wojciech-szczesny/) > [On the one hand, we all want to be happy. On the other hand, we all know the things that make us happy. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-kelly/on-the-one-hand-we-all-want-to-be-happy-on-the-other-hand-we-all-know/) [Matthew Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-kelly/) > [Behind the scenes, I'm a kid from Washington just trying to be happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benson-boone/behind-the-scenes-i-m-a-kid-from-washington-just-trying-to-be-happy/) [Benson Boone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benson-boone/) > [What's the point in ever trying to be happy when the very pursuit of happiness is what makes you miserable.\*](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-s-the-point-in-ever-trying-to-be-happy-when-the-very-pursuit-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“We are more interested in making others believe we are happy than in trying to be happy ourselves. —FRANÇOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fumio-sasaki/we-are-more-interested-in-making-others-believe-we-are-happy-than-in/) [Fumio Sasaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fumio-sasaki/) > [The only reason why you are unhappy is because you are trying to be happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaggi-vasudev/the-only-reason-why-you-are-unhappy-is-because-you-are-trying-to-be/) [Jaggi Vasudev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaggi-vasudev/) ## More by Radhanath Swami > [Don't let a breath escape from your body without Krishna's name. That should be our determination throughout our life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/don-t-let-a-breath-escape-from-your-body-without-krishna-s-name-that/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) > [Even if you have done no wrong, no mistake in the last 50 years, remember the mistake you did 51 years ago and repent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/even-if-you-have-done-no-wrong-no-mistake-in-the-last-50-years/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) > [Kali yuga is so much saturated with vicious habits that there is a great fight at the slightest of misunderstanding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/kali-yuga-is-so-much-saturated-with-vicious-habits-that-there-is-a/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) > [Every time you are passing the test, you are coming closer to Krishna.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/every-time-you-are-passing-the-test-you-are-coming-closer-to-krishna/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) > [When love is pure, it has the power to conquer. Lover and beloved conquer each other by their affection. The source, the essence, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/when-love-is-pure-it-has-the-power-to-conquer-lover-and-beloved/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) > [Real religion is about, developing real character; character of compassion, character of humility, the character of determination to grow in all circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/real-religion-is-about-developing-real-character-character-of/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) > [When you take a position, you have to accept responsibilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/when-you-take-a-position-you-have-to-accept-responsibilities/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) > [The greatest leader is not someone who is the only leader. The greatest leader is one who inspires others to be leaders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/the-greatest-leader-is-not-someone-who-is-the-only-leader-the/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) > [Devotees are not impressed by the poverty or wealth in material sense in any way; what impresses is devotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/devotees-are-not-impressed-by-the-poverty-or-wealth-in-material-sense/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) > [I took an interest in the Civil Rights Movement. I listened to Martin Luther King. The Vietnam War was raging. When I was 18,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/i-took-an-interest-in-the-civil-rights-movement-i-listened-to-martin/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) > [Giving up pride means giving all credit and glory to Guru and Krishna.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/giving-up-pride-means-giving-all-credit-and-glory-to-guru-and-krishna/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) > [The challenge of co-operation in today's age of quarrel can be achieved by adjusting every situation according to the higher principle of loving God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/the-challenge-of-co-operation-in-today-s-age-of-quarrel-can-be/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) > [I am for God, I am the lover of God, I am loved by God, I am the servant of God, I am the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/i-am-for-god-i-am-the-lover-of-god-i-am-loved-by-god-i-am-the-servant/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) > [My parents' selfless affection and dedication nourished and prepared me to receive the love of my guru or spiritual father, Swami Prabhupada. My parents…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/my-parents-selfless-affection-and-dedication-nourished-and-prepared/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) > [“Suffering is sent to remind us to turn our thoughts towards God, who will give us solace.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/suffering-is-sent-to-remind-us-to-turn-our-thoughts-towards-god-who/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) [Explore all 238 Radhanath Swami quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) ## More Illusion quotes > [A garden has a curious innocent way of consuming cash while all the time you are under the illusion that you are spending nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-meynell/a-garden-has-a-curious-innocent-way-of-consuming-cash-while-all-the/) [Esther Meynell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-meynell/) > [Even mud gives the illusion of depth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-mcluhan/even-mud-gives-the-illusion-of-depth/) [Marshall McLuhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-mcluhan/) > [Nirvana is a word that means enlightenment, being beyond the illusion of birth and death, the illusion of pain, the illusion of love, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/nirvana-is-a-word-that-means-enlightenment-being-beyond-the-illusion/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [The fog of illusion, the fog of confusion is hanging all over the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-morrison/the-fog-of-illusion-the-fog-of-confusion-is-hanging-all-over-the-world/) [Van Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-morrison/) > [Knowing does not always allow us to prevent, but at least the things that we know, we hold them, if not in our hands,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-proust/knowing-does-not-always-allow-us-to-prevent-but-at-least-the-things/) [Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-proust/) > [Without illusions. I love you because you are fallible and because your poor misguided testosterone-corrupted brain has you doing cartwheels trying not to be.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-gerard/without-illusions-i-love-you-because-you-are-fallible-and-because/) [Cindy Gerard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-gerard/) > [Many of us rely on our own illusion of control. But when God makes it known to you that you're not the one steering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmin-mogahed/many-of-us-rely-on-our-own-illusion-of-control-but-when-god-makes-it/) [Yasmin Mogahed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmin-mogahed/) > [We are eternal. All this pain is an illusion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maynard-james-keenan/we-are-eternal-all-this-pain-is-an-illusion/) [Maynard James Keenan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maynard-james-keenan/) > [Meanwhile, the trees were just as green as before; the birds sang and the sun shone as clearly now as ever. The familiar surroundings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hardy/meanwhile-the-trees-were-just-as-green-as-before-the-birds-sang-and/) [Thomas Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hardy/) > [How could they say that they truly loved each other? They had simply grown up together, been children together, and the proximity of it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-guterson/how-could-they-say-that-they-truly-loved-each-other-they-had-simply/) [David Guterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-guterson/) > [Life and death are illusions. We are in a constant state of transformation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/life-and-death-are-illusions-we-are-in-a-constant-state-of/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [Fortunately, the mind is restless; when it uncovers a layer of its own deception, gives up an illusion, exposes a lie, it does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-chernin/fortunately-the-mind-is-restless-when-it-uncovers-a-layer-of-its-own/) [Kim Chernin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-chernin/) > [I've always said that I benefit, as an actor, from not having the illusion of security.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-sparks/i-ve-always-said-that-i-benefit-as-an-actor-from-not-having-the/) [Hal Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-sparks/) > [Things aren't always as they appear. I've been believing things to be a certain way because I want them to be that way. 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Whether you're going to spend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/your-problem-is-how-you-are-going-to-spend-this-one-odd-and-precious/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) [Browse all 3,604 Illusion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illusion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Trying to be happy in this world is greatest illusion.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Radhanath Swami" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/trying-to-be-happy-in-this-world-is-greatest-illusion/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Illusion" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/trying-to-be-happy-in-this-world-is-greatest-illusion/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82e/radhanath-swami-1470_illusion_trying-to-be-happy-in-this-world-is-grea_1075860.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82e/radhanath-swami-1470_illusion_trying-to-be-happy-in-this-world-is-grea_1075860.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82e/radhanath-swami-1470_illusion_trying-to-be-happy-in-this-world-is-grea_1075860.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Trying to be happy in this world is greatest illusion.” — Radhanath Swami", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Radhanath Swami", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Trying to be happy in this...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/trying-to-be-happy-in-this-world-is-greatest-illusion/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/trying-to-be-happy-in-this-world-is-greatest-illusion/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```